Working Ranch Radio Show

We can breed for efficiency, but that doesn’t make your cows efficient… they can only work with the resources that are available.  Ted Perry, Director of Beef Technical Services with Purina joins us as we discuss the value of a mineral program in the nutrition of our cows that allows them to be efficient with the resources they have; whether that’s their feed, their environment, or their genetics....

Virtual Fencing... Can it work?  Is it cost effective? Researchers from Oklahoma State University ( Dr. Ryan Reuter , Dr. Laura Goodman , & Alayna Gerhardt) join me as we talk about their project in looking at the viability of Virtual Fencing for ranchers.  What are the benefits that it offers and what have been the challenges as this technology emerges.  And will get into the cost benefit ana...

In ranching there are just some things we cannot control.  For example, our markets and weather.  So far, the markets are looking pretty good, but what about the weather for this fall and winter?  Meteorologist Don Day joins us for the entire show as he walks us through his outlook for the next 4-8 months.  We’ll take an overall look at what will be affecting our weather pattern and then we’ll bre...

Managing a ranch in today’s industry is different that it was for the previous generations... and it continues to change.  So, what are the skills a manager needs on today’s ranch?   Rick Machen with the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management is my guest as he shares with us three umbrella areas that are critical for Ranch Managers. If you have aspirations of being a ranch manager, either for y...

Your Legacy… it’s what you leave behind when you leave this world.  What’s that going to look like? Will your legacy be muddled with your estate and family in disarray and your children not speaking to each other, or will it be a blessing? Dan Childs, with the Noble Research Institute , is my guest as we go through seven considerations in the succession planning of your ranch or estate. It’s all t...

Today… An update on industry issues that you might want to be in the "know" on. Russell Nemetz with the Western Ag Network joins me to discuss the hot topics that were on the table of the Cattle Industry Summer Business in San Diego.  Among the topics, why the current administration is not accepting the Supreme Court's ruling on the WOTUS.  Also, who's in control of the inspection and regulation o...

The principles that Bud Williams brought to the forefront of our livestock industry have motivated many ranchers to learn and adopt these practices in their own operations.  Today we talk with Steve Cote as we specifically focus on the most important part of getting a herd to move is how they get started.  Plus, will talk through what we can being doing in the winter months to help train cattle to...

Capital Gains Taxes… it’s a subject that is a part of the conversation in ranching families when there is a desire to divest of ranch land.  And if the land is sold outright, it leaves the seller liable for Capital Gains Taxes. This is where Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code comes in.  Dal Houston , attorney from Alva, OK is my as we go through the details of using a 1031… but even more th...

In our primary education we had report cards.  It was a method that could tell us if we were on track, where we were falling short, and monitored our progress.  The BQA Audit serves in that capacity for our industry as it evolved out of an era over 30 years ago in which consumer demand was in the tank.  So the industry took the bull by the horns (so to speak) and began issuing a BQA Audit every fi...

If your ranch struggles with profitability… maybe it’s time to consider the difference between Ranching Principles versus Ranching Practices.  Dallas Mount, Owner of Ranch Management Consultants is my guest as we discuss the danger to the lifespan of your operation when focusing on the “Practices” keeps you from adapting to changes in the industry.  But change can be tough considering our fear of...

To become one of the largest horse sales in the west… what does that take?  Jann Parker, manager of the BLS Horse Sale in Billings, MT is my guest as we discuss how they handle the issues that can arise specifically when it comes to selling horses, how do they provide assurance to buyers , what has made BLS an exceptional "Loose Horse Sale Market", what’s hot in the market today, how have they ada...

To fully understand our domestic cattle markets, we need a grasp on the Global Beef Supply. Brett Stuart , with Global AgriTrends , is my guest as we talk world beef supply numbers.  What countries are driving US Beef exports and why Plus, we’ll address why there are beef imports from other countries and some concerns on imports.  Finally, why the long term forecast for global beef supplies sheds...

When you look head-on into the future of your ranch, are your management decision and day to day operations creating a viable multi-generational business, or is it over when you’re done?  Making critical management changes in your operation that moves away from traditional practices can be hard.   Kurt Myllymaki , a rancher and farmer from Stanford, MT joins me today as we talk about how they migr...

In agriculture our livelihood begins with a drop of rain, and when it doesn’t come, decisions must be made.  As ranchers it’s about stocking rates. So how can we be proactive in our management rather than reactive?   Keith Harmoney , with Kansas State University , joins me today as he discusses the factors we should assess both in coming out of a drought or potentially headed into one.  Plus, a De...

On the heels of a recent BSE case in the US, let’s discuss Animal Traceability.  And while it’s been a subject that has been debated within our industry, the recent BSE case provided a glimpse of what traceability looks like and its defense of our industry.  Lia Biondo , Executive Vice President of US Cattlemen’s Association is my guest as we talk about what’s ahead with Animal Traceability, what...

Breeding Costs… do you really have a good grasp on what yours are?  Andrew Griffith , Livestock Economist with the University of Tennessee , is my guest today as we work through the Cost Benefit Analysis of Timed Ai’ing and Natural Service. We’ll discuss the strengths and weakness of each of these methods as well as the economic and how that ties in with the costs associated with each respective m...

Flies!  All of us in the cattle business deal with them.  They contribute to over a billion dollars in potential financial loses to our cattle industry each year, which includes you.  And before you repeat what you’ve always done or get sold on the latest product from the feed store, or get caught up in the latest all natural methods… maybe it’s time to re-evaluate. Dave Boxler , ( University of N...

In the classic western film "The Three Amigos" there is a discussion on knowing what a Plethora is.  So after 1 hour and 44 minutes of research (coincidentally is the same length of this classic film), I determined that today we have a plethora of topics in store for you.  Meteorologist Don Day will not only be in to talk long term weather, but we’ll have an extended conversation on Sea Surface Te...

A study by Kansas State University and Merck Animal Health analyzed the results of two years’ worth of sales through Superior Livestock specifically looking at the factors that affected those calf prices.  Today, Dr. John Hutcheson, with Merck Animal Health joins me to talk about the results. From management practices to programs and vaccination protocols to weaning… are you seeing a justifiable r...

Estate Planning... a big issue our family ranches must deal with, but often avoided or do it incorrectly in trying to save money.  This only creates bigger problems after Mom and Dad have passed.   Attorney Dal Houston joins us today as we discuss topics like trusts versus a will.  The difference between a revocable trust and an irrevocable trust, practical information on LLC’s, plus much more.  Y...

We’re headed to Iowa, and we'll be talking about Iowa’s Cattle Industry.  Brad Kooima, Commodities Broker and Cattle Feeder is my guest today as we learn about the heart of the cattle industry in Iowa… the Independent Farmer-Feeders and how that segment evolved.  Plus, we’ll discuss how they market their cattle to the packers, the change in the types of cattle being fed, ethanol, how it impacts th...

If you own your land, would you say you’re in the Cow Business or the Land Business?  If you answered Cow Business, you may be limiting your financial potential of your resources.   Nic De Castro , Founder and CEO of @LandTrust is my guest today as he shares with me how they are pioneering an avenue the helps landowner monetize the recreational assets of their land in practically a turn-key method...

Collaborative efforts can be a great resource, which pretty much describes the basis for our subject today.  It’s called Good Grazing Makes Cent$ , a program born out of the resources and work of the Society for Range Management .  Erika Fitzpatrick and Dave Voth join me as we explore the purpose of this program and how it can be a great resource for ranchers and land use managers to expand their...

A good mineral program for your cattle is proving to be a good return on investment… IF you use it.  Dr. Jason Russell with @Zinpro joins me today as we talk about where and how you can see the value in a mineral program for your cows as well as those forgotten animals on your place the bulls.  Plus, a great conversation with Kaci Carrales about the American Akaushi Breed of cattle and the market...

Today we get caught up on industry issues that are important to us as Ranchers.   Russell Nemetz with the Western Ag Network joins me as we discuss what are we going to see as focal points in the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill, to Beef Labeling Rules, Animal Disease Traceability Regulations, and how those two issues tie back to a hot topic right now which is BSE in Brazil. Plus, what were the questions h...